# The Hague, Netherlands travel guide

> The world's city of peace and justice — where Dutch politics, royal heritage, and North Sea beaches meet.

Source: Wanderlust App — https://www.wanderlustapp.io/city/the-hague-netherlands
Last updated: 2026-10-28

Wanderlust rates The Hague, Netherlands with overall livability 3.6/5, safety 4.5/5, cost 2/5, internet 5/5, leisure 4/5 (data updated 2026-10-28).

## Overview

The Hague (Den Haag) is the Netherlands' seat of government and home to the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and more than 150 international organizations. Despite being the country's third-largest city, it remains refreshingly under-touristed, offering grand architecture, world-class museums like the Mauritshuis, and leafy neighborhoods with a cosmopolitan edge. Its unique blend of political gravitas and coastal leisure — anchored by the seaside district of Scheveningen — makes it one of the most distinctive cities in Western Europe.

## Wanderlust scores

- Overall livability: 3.6/5
- Safety: 4.5/5 (higher is safer)
- Cost of living: 2/5 (affordability — higher is cheaper)
- Internet: 150 Mbps median speed
- Leisure: 4/5
- Air quality: 4/5 (higher is cleaner)
- Wanderlust global rank: #169

## Practical information

- Country: Netherlands
- Region: Europe
- Population: 509,935.49
- Best time to visit: May through September for warm beach weather, the longest daylight hours, and the city's peak festival season (Liberation Festival in May, Vlaggetjesdag in June, the Scheveningen Fireworks Festival in August); December adds festive charm with winter markets.
- Currency: EUR
- Primary language: Dutch
- Time zone: Europe/Amsterdam
- Nearest airport: Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM); Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is the main international gateway

## Estimated monthly cost (USD)

| Profile | Monthly total |
| --- | --- |
| Nomad | $5,000 |
| Expat | $2,900 |
| Family | $8,692 |
| Local | $2,371 |

## Things to do in The Hague

- Mauritshuis (Girl with a Pearl Earring)
- Binnenhof & Ridderzaal
- Peace Palace
- Madurodam Miniature Park
- Scheveningen Beach & De Pier
- Escher in Het Paleis Museum
- Paleis Noordeinde
- Kunstmuseum Den Haag

## Where to stay in The Hague

Neighborhoods popular with visitors:

- Scheveningen
- Statenkwartier
- Archipelbuurt
- Zeeheldenkwartier
- Benoordenhout
- City Centre (Centrum)

## City guide

### How to arrive

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is the main international gateway, roughly 45km from The Hague, with direct NS trains to Den Haag Centraal running every 20 minutes and taking about 28–35 minutes for €4–10. Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is the closer regional option but requires a bus-and-metro or bus-and-train combo (around 40–55 minutes) to reach the city center since it has no direct rail link. Budget travelers can also take a taxi from Schiphol for roughly €60–80 (35–45 minutes), or connect via Rotterdam Centraal using bus line 33 plus a train or Metro E.

Sources:

1. [Schiphol Airport (AMS) to The Hague - Rome2Rio](https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Amsterdam-Schiphol-Airport-AMS/The-Hague)
2. [The Hague to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport by Train - Trainline](https://www.thetrainline.com/en-us/train-times/the-hague-to-amsterdam-schiphol-airport)
3. [Travel - The Hague 2025 (EYP)](https://thehague2025.eyp.nl/travel/)

### Moving through the city

The Hague's HTM network runs more than 30 tram lines and 60+ bus lines with frequent service from early morning to midnight, plus several rail stations linking onward to the rest of the Netherlands. Tap in and out using an OV-chipkaart (anonymous cards cost about €7.50), the newer OV-pas (€6), or simply OVpay with a contactless bank card or phone — all charge the same distance-based fare, with typical tram rides costing €2–4. In summer, HTM's seasonal "Strand Express" tram runs nonstop between Den Haag Centraal/HS and Scheveningen in about 10 minutes, while HTM day and multi-day passes offer unlimited tram and bus travel for visitors.

Sources:

1. [Public transport in The Hague - The Hague International Centre](https://www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl/living-in-the-hague-region/getting-around-the-hague-region/public-transport-in-the-hague)
2. [Ultimate Tourist Guide to Public Transport - HTM](https://www.htm.nl/en/travel/ultimate-tourist-guide-for-traveling/)
3. [Public transport in The Hague - denhaag.com](https://denhaag.com/en/bereikbaarheid-en-vervoer/openbaar-vervoer-den-haag)

### When to go

The sweet spot is late May through September, when Scheveningen's beach clubs are in full swing, daylight stretches past 9:30pm, and the city's festival calendar peaks — from the Liberation Festival on Malieveld in early May to the herring-and-maritime celebrations of Vlaggetjesdag in June and the multi-night Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival in August. Spring (April–May) trades a few degrees of warmth for blooming parks, nearby tulip fields, and thinner crowds, while autumn (September–October) offers mild temperatures and a quieter, more cultural pace ideal for museum-hopping. Winter is cold and damp but still worthwhile for cozy cafés, festive markets, and the Scheveningen New Year's Day plunge into the North Sea.

Sources:

1. [Best Time to Visit The Hague - championtraveler.com](https://championtraveler.com/dates/best-time-to-visit-the-hague-nl/)
2. [What is the best month to visit The Hague? - excursionmania.com](https://www.excursionmania.com/article/what-is-the-best-month-to-visit-the-hague-blg-7192)
3. [Scheveningen - Traveling Wiz](https://travelingwiz.com/trip/europe/netherlands/south-holland/the-hague/scheveningen/)

### What works

- World-class art at the Mauritshuis and Kunstmuseum without Amsterdam-level crowds
- Beach, pier, and North Sea sunsets at Scheveningen, just a tram ride from the center
- Compact, bike- and tram-friendly layout makes getting around easy
- Cosmopolitan, international community thanks to the ICJ, ICC, and embassies
- Elegant, green neighborhoods like Archipelbuurt and Statenkwartier

### What to weigh

- High cost of living, especially rent in and near the city center
- Weather is changeable with frequent rain outside summer months
- Fewer direct international flight options than Amsterdam Schiphol
- Nightlife and tourist infrastructure are quieter than in Amsterdam
- Some diplomatic zones feel formal rather than lively after dark

## 3-day itinerary

### Day 1: Government, Art & the Peace Palace

- Morning: Explore the Binnenhof and Ridderzaal, the historic seat of Dutch parliament, then walk to the Mauritshuis for Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring.
- Afternoon: Stroll Lange Voorhout and visit the Peace Palace grounds (home to the ICJ) and nearby Escher in Het Paleis museum.
- Evening: Dinner in the Zeeheldenkwartier, a relaxed neighborhood full of independent restaurants and bars.

### Day 2: Scheveningen Beach & Coast

- Morning: Take the tram to Scheveningen and walk the boulevard to De Pier, with its Ferris wheel and zipline over the sand.
- Afternoon: Relax at a beach club, rent a bike along the dunes, or visit the Sea Life aquarium and Muzee Scheveningen harbor museum.
- Evening: Fresh seafood at a boulevard restaurant followed by sunset over the North Sea.

### Day 3: Museums, Royalty & Miniatures

- Morning: Visit Kunstmuseum Den Haag for its Mondrian collection, or the panoramic 19th-century cyclorama at Panorama Mesdag.
- Afternoon: Wander past Paleis Noordeinde and the Statenkwartier's grand villas, then head to Madurodam's miniature Dutch landmarks — great for families.
- Evening: Browse the shops and cafés of the Centrum before a final Dutch meal near Grote Markt.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Hague safe for travelers?

The Hague has a safety rating of 4.5 out of 5.

### What is the best time to visit The Hague?

The best time to visit The Hague is May through September for warm beach weather, the longest daylight hours, and the city's peak festival season (Liberation Festival in May, Vlaggetjesdag in June, the Scheveningen Fireworks Festival in August); December adds festive charm with winter markets..

### What are the top things to do in The Hague?

Top sights in The Hague include Mauritshuis (Girl with a Pearl Earring), Binnenhof & Ridderzaal, Peace Palace, Madurodam Miniature Park, Scheveningen Beach & De Pier, and Escher in Het Paleis Museum.

### Where should I stay in The Hague?

Popular neighborhoods for visitors to The Hague include Scheveningen, Statenkwartier, Archipelbuurt, Zeeheldenkwartier, and Benoordenhout.

### How expensive is The Hague?

The Hague has an affordability score of 2 out of 5, where 5 is most affordable.

### How much does it cost to live in The Hague per month?

Estimated monthly costs in The Hague are about $5,000 for a digital nomad, $2,900 for an expat, $8,692 for a family, and $2,371 for a local resident (USD).

### What is the nearest airport to The Hague?

The nearest airport to The Hague is Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM); Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) is the main international gateway.

### What is the internet speed in The Hague?

The Hague has an average internet speed of 150 Mbps.

### What currency does The Hague use?

The currency used in The Hague is EUR.

### What language is spoken in The Hague?

The primary language spoken in The Hague is Dutch.

### What time zone is The Hague in?

The Hague is in the Europe/Amsterdam time zone.

## More from Wanderlust

- Full guide with photos, maps and reviews: https://www.wanderlustapp.io/city/the-hague-netherlands
- Plan a trip to The Hague: https://www.wanderlustapp.io/create-a-journey?destination=The%20Hague
- This city's data as JSON: https://www.wanderlustapp.io/api/public/v1/cities/the-hague-netherlands

Scores are Wanderlust's own, from AI-assisted research refreshed on a rolling basis.
Cite as: Wanderlust App, "The Hague, Netherlands travel guide", https://www.wanderlustapp.io/city/the-hague-netherlands